Weeks ago, when Tee-Billz mentioned in an interview that he was planning for a small wedding, he either did not envisage the wide publicity and high budget that was to follow or he was just being deniably modest with the plans because as it turned out, apart from being the talk of the town in the last one week, the wedding now records as one of the most star-studded weddings in recent times.
The traditional wedding ceremony of popular singer, Tiwa Savage and her manager/hubby, Tunji ‘Tee-Billz’ Balogun may have gulped nothing less than N30m, by NET’s calculation.
Starting with the invitation cards, for Tiwa’s personality and status in the society, there’s no doubt that the couple would have been looking at over a thousand guests. The fuchsia and gold coloured invitation card came with a small access card for entry into the venue, all packed in a beautifully designed paper bag. 500 pieces of the package costing an average of N5000 each amounts to N2.5million. Courier company, Compton Green Express delivered the bag to the guests, and that’s a service that the couple would have had to pay for too.
Except for a few glitches, it was a well-organized wedding by the wedding design and planning outfit, The Wedding Company. This was the same company that handled musician Darey Art Alade’s wedding to wife Deola as well as Basketmouth’s wedding to Elsie. A former client of the company tells online media that the company’s fee is related to the details and how classy the clients want it.
For Tiwa/Tee-Billz, putting down a staggering figure of N6million to achieve a memorable day wasn’t a problem at all.
Although the official wedding colours were fuchsia and gold, most of the hall was beautifully lit with white and orange. Uche Majekodunmi’s Newton and David were hired to do the decorations of the hall. The award winning event design and décor company were paid N2m for tuning up the ambience of the hall.
The venue of the wedding, Ark Vicinity in Lekki, Lagos is fast becoming one of the most patronized event centres in Lagos. This was the same venue where Peter Okoye of P-Square wedded his wife Lola Omotayo the previous week. With its proximity to a 5-Star hotel, Vantage Hotel and the exquisite Lekki Beach, insiders claim a day’s rent of the venue could go for up to N3.5million depending on the negotiation.
It may amaze you to know that the beautiful white and cream Tiwa/Tee-Billz wedding cake cost well over N2m. Outrageous, right? Welcome to the world of celebrity cake makers.
The main company responsible for providing the varieties of delicacies was Morenike Okupe’s Malas Foods Catering Services and then there were other small companies that provided the cannapes, ice creams and barbecues. All sorts of drinks were available, from soft drinks, to beer, spirits, wines, to champagnes; all totalling up to N5m with food inclusive.
Unlike other traditions, the ceremonial gifts in the Yoruba tradition are usually not so expensive. The family brought a lot of food stuff which included tubers of yam, plantain, garri, etc. Boxes of clothing items were also presented amongst others; all of these totalling up to N800,000 including the bride price which was not disclosed.
When King Sunny Ade and his band come to play, you know there’s no dull moment. As the main entertainer for the occasion, the Juju musician serenaded the guests as well as the couple. Let’s not forget the comedian/MC who held down the occasion for up to eight hours.
Although sources suggest the services of KSA and Seyi Law may have been complimentary or greatly discounted, on a normal day their charges could amount to about N5million and N1million respectively.
Through the course of the entire wedding, the couple had a change of clothes three different times. Not only did they change clothes, shoes and accessories were also changed. Parents, family and close friends were also catered for as they almost all dressed uniformly in the gold-coloured lace aso-ebi. The clothing items on the couple, parents and family, may well cost between a million to 1.5million, accessories inclusive.
Private security company, ‘Bold Events’ were in charge at the venue. While some were at the doors and gates fully dressed with military-type gears and gadgets, a few were however dressed in black suits and dark shades, protecting the couple from undesired guests and photographers alike. The cost of security from the company could be up to N500k.
There was a reign of exotic cars. The parking lot was almost like the venue of a car show as the invited guests came in different brands of classy and exotic cars. The Mavin crew led by Don Jazzy came in a Bentley, Escalade and a Carrera S sport car. Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye came in his Bentley with a customized number and Florence Ita-Giwa was driven to the venue in a wine coloured Bentley. There were also eye-popping cars like Ferrari, Range Sports, G Wagons and lots of other expensive automobiles.
Tiwa Savage’s father appeared not to be happy with the course of the wedding. Sources say he was seen complaining to a member of his family about how the groom’s family seemed to have hijacked the whole ceremony. His anger was further expressed as he went round asking some of the guests from the grooms side to move from their tables and to look for seats elsewhere.
Apart from King Sunny Ade who was the main entertainer for the event, a few of the artistes who were also present were given a few minutes to do their thing. Being called up on stage, the artistes all mounted the stage and performed in a single row, one after the other. First up were Dr SID and Don Jazzy, and then Banky W, Iyanya, Lynxxx, Davido, Chuddy K and finally Seyi Shay.
Roll Call:
Don Jazzy, Banky W, Dr SID and fiancée Simi Osomo, Iyanya, Tekno, Waje, Davido, Sasha P, DJ Jimmy JATT, DJ Xclusive, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Toke Makinwa, Kaylah Oniwo, Fade Ogunro, P-Square wives Lola Omotayo, Anita Isama, Ali Baba, Julius Agwu, Seyi Law, Agbani Darego, Rita Dominic, Funke Akindele, Jane Michele, Kaylah Oniwo, Niyola, Michelle Dede, Lamii Philips, Kaffy, Zaina, Elohor Aisien, Nicole Chikwe, Yvonne Nwosu, Tee-Y Mix, Ayo Animashaun, Eva Alordiah, Toyin Lawani, Tola Odunsi, Toolz, Ali Baba, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Segun Demuren, Omawumi, Emma Nyra, Linda Ikeji, Toju Foyeh, Jumai Shaba, Juliet Ibrahim, Mai Atafo, Olamide, Olisa Adibau, Freeze, Bridget Awosika, Eku Edewor, Chris the Razor, Susan Peters, Saeon, Femi Otedola, Otedola’s daughter DJ Cuppy, Lynxxx, Uti Nwachukwu, Iceberg Slim, Dammy Krane, General Pype, Seyi Shay, Karen Igho, Essence, Dayo D1 Adeneye, Kenny Ogungbe, Florence Ita-Giwa, Ayo Badmus, Teeto Cemos, Denrele Edun, Kola Oyeyemi, Eniola Badmus, Princess, ID Cabasa.
Absentees:
Psquare, D’banj, Wizkid, Wande Coal, Naeto C, Timaya, M.I, Ice Prince, Flavour and Sinzu
Table of cost by NET calculation Amount (N)
Wedding planner. 6m
The bride price and ceremonial gift. 800k
Clothing items. 1.5m
Wedding invitation cards + delivery. 3m
Food and refreshment. 5m
Event venue. 3.5m
Decorations. 2m
King Sunny Ade’s performance fee. 5m
MC’s fee. 1m
Security. 500k
Cake. 2m
What a glamorous and exorbitant wedding. What do you think?
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